Description
This vibrant and fun Unicorn Bread recipe is a colorful twist on classic banana bread, featuring swirled pink, purple, and neon green batter layers filled with rainbow sprinkles. Topped with a sweet glaze and extra sprinkles, this eye-catching loaf is perfect for celebrations or brightening up any snack time.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- 2 large eggs
- 3 ripe medium bananas (mashed)
Coloring and Decoration
- Pink, purple, and neon green gel food coloring
- ½ cup rainbow sprinkles
- Rainbow sprinkles (for topping)
Glaze
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 3 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray to ensure easy release after baking. Set it aside.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and kosher salt. This will help distribute the leavening evenly throughout the batter.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the granulated sugar and softened butter until the mixture is smooth, light, and creamy, which helps incorporate air for a tender crumb.
- Add Eggs and Bananas: Beat in the eggs one at a time until well combined, then mix in the mashed bananas to add moisture and natural sweetness.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bread tender.
- Divide and Color Batter: Split the batter evenly into three bowls. Add a few drops of gel food coloring to each bowl—one pink, one purple, and one neon green—and mix thoroughly. Adjust the color intensity as desired.
- Layer Batter and Sprinkles: Using a ¼ cup measuring cup or ice cream scoop, alternate dollops of each colored batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle a few rainbow sprinkles between layers to add bursts of color and texture. Continue layering until all batter is used.
- Bake the Bread: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 45-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let the bread rest in the pan for about 10 minutes.
- Cool and Glaze: Carefully remove the bread from the pan and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Meanwhile, whisk together the confectioners sugar and milk to create a glaze. Pour the glaze over the cooled bread and sprinkle extra rainbow sprinkles on top for a festive finish.
Notes
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding flour to maintain bread tenderness.
- Gel food coloring works best for vibrant colors without thinning the batter.
- You can substitute the rainbow sprinkles for any other festive toppings as desired.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for optimal mixing and texture.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
